Blog hop, hop, hop

I'm a bit nervous, for today is my blog hop day.  I've never done one of these before but the lovely Mrs Bertimus asked me if I fancied doing it and of course, I couldn't say no to her, could I?!
So if you're ready, and I think I am, here we go (hold on tight, it could be a bumpy ride)!


What am I working on?
Right now, I've just finished a second Miss Marlo frock from Pip Lincolne's brilliant book Sew, La, Tea, Do and I'm also knitting and crocheting too many projects all at the same time - don't we all? 

This is the first version that I made last year

I used this fabric from Abakhan

I'm also trying to finish this poncho for the 5 year old.  It was meant to be for me, and I bought 200g of wool as specified on the pattern but knew I wasn't going to have enough to complete it, and the shop I got it from didn't have anymore!  So, I undid it all (I hate it when I have to do that) and decided that I would put it to good use by making a smaller version instead.  Just means I'll have to buy some more wool for me....

How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I don't know that it does other than that it's been made by me. I am trying to be more adventurous with what I do.  I taught myself to crochet last year through the medium of youtube, and I've been knitting forever, but only on two needles.  I am determined to push myself to use circular needles, double-pins and a cable hook, though obviously not all at the same time.  It's wool - it can't hurt me!

Why do I write/create what I do?
Because I love doing it.  I love making things and I love my books with a passion too, so here on blogland I try to nurture both sides of them by having two blogs.  My book blog, if you haven't visited it yet, is called Miss Chapter's Reviews and I try to post reviews about three times a week on there.  I love to write, and wanted to go into publishing but after finishing my degree ended up teaching instead.  Book reviewing is my way back into this arena and I love it very much - though I do have about 100 books here waiting to be read and written about!  I've also just written my first article for Pretty Nostalgic Magazine on WW1 embroidered postcards which can be found inside issue 13, and I should have a second article in the Goodwood Revival Special which I think comes out in September!  If you haven't discovered Pretty Nostalgic yet, I'd definitely recommend it.  Yes, it's more expensive than an off-the-shelf magazine but it's not loaded with adverts, takes ages to read, smells divine, and is something that you will actually keep rather than cut up or bin.  I have every issue and I love reading them.  It's worth a subscription.

 

How does your writing/creative process work?
Usually I see something and think I fancy having a go at that, and then it's time to get the sewing machine out and have a bash, and if it's writing something, I just do it straight off, see how it sounds, and then revise it.  I've got to get thinking as I've got an article for a publication due out at Christmas and I still haven't an idea of what I'm going to write about, but once I've had that flash of light moment then I get it written down immediately.


So, that's a bit about me (hope you're still awake) and now I'm passing the baton on to two other fellow bloggers whose work and blogs are very different from each other but I love them both.

The first is the lovely Kath over at Inverleith. Her blog is full of her own crochet makes, and she has just started sewing too - her Sorbetto tops are lovely, she's a wizz at bias binding!!!!  She describes her blog as thus: Mother, writer and daydreamer Kath has been documenting her crafty creations over at Inverleith for three-and-a-half years, Sharing crochet patterns, projects and her adventures in colour.

My other fellow blog-hopper is Hester over at Bodkin Creates. Hesta celebrates the seasons through craft, and via her workshops in East Devon.  Dottie Angel is a huge fan, don't you know?!  I love the work that Hesta produces - only problem is she lives so far away so I can't attend her workshops, but I can droll over them online!

so there we go, blog hop all done and dusted.  Do drop by and say hi another time, or pop and see Miss Chapter, she'd love a visit from you!  Then go and visit Kath and Hesta - I'm sure they'll make you a cup of tea!

G x